The ROP arrested 58 infiltrators from the sea shores in the wilayat of Barka. Photo - ROPClick on Image for Slideshow

Muscat: The Royal Oman Police (ROP), with the help of military and security agencies, arrested 58 infiltrators from the sea shores in the wilayat of Barka when they tried to enter the country illegally.

The ROP arrested the infiltrators and seized their two boats based on a tip-off that the suspicious boats were carrying infiltrators on board.

The ROP has urged people to cooperate with police to combat the menace by promptly reporting or contacting through emergency number 9999, or visiting the nearest police station to inform about any infiltrators. The citizens were also urged not to employ or shelter infiltrators or facilitate their entry into the Sultanate.

Counterfeit cigarettesMeanwhile, the ROP last week foiled a bid to smuggle counterfeit cigarettes into the country through the Wajajah post. A total of 160 cartons of counterfeit cigarettes were seized.

The accused have been referred to the Public Prosecution for further investigation and trial.An official from the ROP said police were working hard to stem smuggling of such materials into the country as it could jeopardise the health of people.

Fraudster arrested The Investigation and Criminal Investigation Department of the ROP arrested a taxi driver on charges of theft and fraud.

The accused had duped one of his victims into signing a bank form to withdraw OMR3,000. Similarly, he took a citizen for a ride, withdrawing OMR7,000 from a bank here in Muscat. On his way back to the Sahwa Tower area, the accused took the victim to a remote area and decamped with the cash. After a search, he was nabbed from his house as footage from the CCTV camera of the bank helped in identifying him. The accused was referred to the Public Prosecution for trial.

Narcotics haulPolice at the Muscat International Airport foiled a passenger's attempt to smuggle a large amount of narcotics into Oman.

The accused, who arrived from an Asian country, had swallowed 175 capsules filled with narcotics, said police officials. He looked nervous and his suspicious movements at the airport alerted the ROP officers posted there, reported an official.

The suspect was arrested and taken to the ROP hospital where X-ray films revealed presence of 175 capsules in his intestine.

The police subsequently arrested the accused.

Over a dozen cases of people trying to smuggle drug-filled capsules into the country have been foiled. The police have appealed to the residents for cooperation in combating drug related crimes.